GDC 2017
 Impact Report

IGDA Foundation March 30, 2017

The Mission of the

IGDA Foundation

Diversity Programs and Initiatives We believe we can make the most dramatic improvement in interactive entertainment’s present and future by increasing the inclusiveness of our industry. The IGDA Scholars, Women in Games Ambassadors, and Next Gen Leaders programs are our flagship diversity initiatives.

IGDA SIG and Chapter Grants We support IGDA Special Interest Groups and Chapters with grants, encouraging activism, growth, and development amongst the community. One of our most important efforts in supporting the IGDA community is the Eric Dybsand Memorial AI Scholarship.

We improve the lives of game developers through charitable, educational, and scientific works.

Community Support We provide grants to selected community organizations that make a meaningful, measurable difference in promoting current and future diversity in the games industry.

IGDA Foundation at GDC 2017 Our signature programs, IGDA Scholars, Eric Dybsand Memorial AI Scholarship, Women in Games Ambassadors, and Next Gen Leaders, deliver an unrivaled experience. By holding these programs at the industry’s premier professional conference, the Game Developer Conference in San Francisco, the IGDA Foundation provided powerful and unique opportunities for our program participants to network, learn more about their craft, and grow personally.

In addition to our programs, the IGDA Foundation hosted a networking reception and a number of meetings to address our funding and partnership goals.

Our programs attract the best and brightest aspiring and current game devs! IGDA Foundation program alumni and current year participants delivered 28 sessions at GDC 2017-almost 4% of the show’s content!

IGDAF @GDC 2017: By The Numbers Program Participants: 48 aspiring students and professional game developers Program Staff: 10 experienced game developers Program Volunteers (Mentors, Speakers, Judges, Steering Committee Members): 77 experienced game developers or subject matter experts Program Results* 100% would recommend their program to a friend or colleague

83% agree or strongly agree that their program made it more likely they’ll find or continue a career in game development

90% agree or strongly agree that their program made them feel more positively about game development *From Post-GDC Survey Responses of the IGDA Scholars, Women in Games Ambassadors, and Next Gen Leaders

GDC 2017 Sponsors & Supporters

GDC 2017 Volunteers Each year, a dedicated team of volunteers makes the IGDA Foundation’s programs at GDC possible.

Our Program Directors (Molly Proffitt, IGDA Scholars, Cat Wendt, Women in Games Ambassadors, and Keith Fuller, Next Gen Leaders) are experienced, dedicated game development leaders who give hundreds of hours to their programs.

In addition to the Program Directors, the IGDAF GDC Volunteer staff represents an ongoing cycle of giving back to the game dev community.

The IGDA Scholars program is run entirely by program alumni. Their volunteers have an average 4 year tenure.

The Women in Games Ambassadors program has had a consistent volunteer staff for its 3 years of existence.

GDC 2017: Voice of the Participants This was a really great experience, and definitely gave me a more positive view on the games industry. It was for meaningful for me, and I was very glad to take part. –Next Gen Leader The very first day of being at GDC as an IGDA Scholar was worth more than my entire week last year. –IGDA Scholar

This was an awesome opportunity. Thank you so much. The travel stipend was extremely helpful. It didn't cover all my travel expenses but I would not have been able to attend without it. -IGDA Scholar GDC17 was an unforgettable week in which I was lucky to meet some of the most incredible ppl of the industry - thanks WIGAm J -WiG Ambassador

Thank you so much for offering me this amazing opportunity. I have gained so much from attending and perhaps more importantly I have built up confidence in myself. Thank you. -WiG Ambassador

IGDA Scholars

IGDA Scholars at GDC The IGDA Scholars program rewards the most promising IGDA student members, pursuing an undergraduate or graduate degree related to game development, with an unparalleled experience at GDC. In addition to a travel stipend, the scholarship recipients also participate in a special program designed to help them explore careers in game development, and they’re matched with an experienced game developer mentor.

IGDA Scholars at GDC: Demographics The GDC 2017 IGDA Scholars Cohort (including the Eric Dybsand Memorial AI Scholar) included 18 aspiring game developers.

Program demographics included: 9 Women, 8 Men, 1 Non-binary participant

8 People of Color

11 US-based, 7 International participants

IGDA Scholars: Participant Feedback The IGDA Scholars participants had overwhelmingly positive feedback on the program. •  When asked to rate the program, 100% of respondents rated it excellent. •  The program achieved a Net Promoter Score of 100. •  92% of participants agreed or strongly agreed that they were more likely to find a job in game development because of the program. •  100% of participants agreed or strongly agreed that the program made them feel more positively about game development.

Women in Games Ambassadors

Women in Games Ambassadors at GDC The Women in Games Ambassadors program is designed to give womenidentifying aspiring game developers an effective on-ramp to a career in game development. In addition to an all-access pass to GDC and a travel stipend, the program includes a portfolio and resume review, exclusive developer Q&A sessions, and networking events.

Women in Games Ambassadors at GDC The Women in Games Ambassadors program had a diverse cohort of 20 women-identifying aspiring game developers, including: •  8 women who identify as LGBTQIA •  4 Asian women •  1 Black woman •  1 Latina woman

Women in Games Ambassadors: Participant Feedback The IGDA Scholars participants had overwhelmingly positive feedback on the program. •  When asked to rate the program, 100%of respondents rated it excellent. •  The program achieved a Net Promoter Score of 100. •  78% of participants agreed or strongly agreed that they were more likely to find a job in game development because of the program. •  78% of participants agreed or strongly agreed that the program made them feel more positively about game development.

Next Gen Leaders

Next Gen Leaders at GDC The Next Gen Leaders (NGL) program debuted at GDC 2017. Designed to help retain underrepresented minorities in game development, the program included a two-day workshop to build personal and professional skills, mentors, and ongoing support. The Next Gen Leaders program is sponsored by Xbox. The Next Gen Leaders program featured a diverse cohort of 10 game developers, including: •  8 women and 2 men •  5 people of color •  4 people who identify as LGBTQ •  3 people with disabilities •  1 veteran •  1 political refugee The participants live in the United States, Canada, Ireland, and Australia, and represent AAA and independent development.

Next Gen Leaders: Participant Feedback The Next Gen Leader participants had overwhelmingly positive feedback on the program. •  When asked to rate the program, 2/3 of respondents rated it excellent and 1/3 rated it very good. •  The program achieved a Net Promoter Score of 100. •  78% of participants agreed or strongly agreed that they were more likely to stay in game development because of the program. •  89% of participants agreed or strongly agreed that the program made them feel more positively about game development.